The Deacon

Vern Law was known as 'The Deacon' during his career in Major League Baseball. He won the Cy Young award in 1960 and was part of the Pittsburgh Pirate team that won the World Series that same year.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing him in the studio. This is for the baseball assignment where I gave each student a worn baseball to photograph. Vern's son, Vance (who also had a noteworthy career playing major league baseball), is coaching the BYU Cougar baseball team. I asked if he had any old beat-up baseballs for the assignment, and he graciously provided them for the students. It was a neat experience to have them both in the studio.

I got about 40 minutes with Vern, we tried some different ideas and poses with the baseball, but the image I like the best is this portrait of him.

To read more about Vern's career, why they called him 'The Deacon', and his son Vance, do a little Google search and see what you can find. I did and have a lot more respect for these two men who kept their personal standards high in professional baseball.